Teacher’s app to connect schools and staff Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au ROSEBUD Primary School teacher Evan Rutherford has come up with a handy resource for teachers and schools called EzStaff. The IT teacher put his technological knowledge to good use by designing app to easily and efficiently connect schools with available casual relief teachers. “I designed EzStaff to assist both teachers and schools,” Mr Rutherford said, who lives at Tootgarook. “Teachers get to choose where they work while dictating their own availability and how far they want to travel from home. “Schools can browse each teacher’s profile, match their skills and experience to the school’s needs, and then book them quickly, without fuss and, importantly, at no cost.” As a relief teacher manager, Mr Ru-
therford saw the need for the app after becoming frustrated with the early morning “ring around” to find teacher replacements. He wanted to make the booking process more user friendly and save teachers and schools valuable time and money in the process. It is believed that school electives such as drama, IT and music are threatened by the shortage of casual relief teachers – an issue the app could help overcome. Mr Rutherford says he is excited that the Mornington Peninsula is the first region to benefit from his innovative idea and says that the response from schools and teachers over the first few weeks has been “very encouraging”. A teething problem – hopefully short term - is that there a too few casual teachers registered on the app, reducing its effectiveness. Casual relief teachers and schools ican register or find out how to use the app at EzStaff.com.au
Mix and match: Evan Rutherford’s web-based tool eases early morning ‘ring around’ for relief teachers. Picture: Yanni
Hopes for a free ride crushed FIVE unregistered motorbikes have been destroyed after being seized by police. The vehicles were among nine minibikes, motorbikes and one motorised scooter impounded under an amendment to a Mornington Peninsula local law that imposes a $500 release fee. Just four of the motorbikes were reclaimed by their owners who came from Hastings, Bittern, Crib Point, Ty-
abb, Rosebud and Mornington. “None of the bikes crushed were able to be registered as they were not in a roadworthy condition,” Claire Smith, the shire’s environment protection and community safety manager, said. Police were given power to seize the unregistered recreational vehicles when the shire changed its local law in 2014. “Our top priority is community safe-
ty, and to deter illegal and dangerous behaviour. It is unfortunate some people still choose to do the wrong thing,” the mayor Cr Bev Colomb said. Cr David Garnock said illegal use of unregistered recreational vehicles was dangerous. “Riding unregistered recreational motorbikes without the proper safety equipment on land not designed for the purpose is not only dangerous, but also
offenders can risk losing their bike or facing a fine,” he said. “The illegal use of these bikes is also dangerous in the broader community, and can cause property damage or present a threat to people.” The illegal use of recreational vehicles can be reported by calling 000 during the event, or information can be given by calling 1800 333 000 or the Hoon Hotline on 1800 664 666.
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www.futurefriendly.com.au Southern Peninsula News 2 June 2015
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